Drug Identification Guide (U//FOUO) The New Jersey Regional Operations Intelligence Center (NJ ROIC) monitors New Jersey drug environment through the Drug Monitoring Initiative (DMI), providing an understanding of the presence and prevalence of drugs in regions throughout the state. This pill guide is for law enforcement officers and public safety officials to utilize when encountering pill products during the course of their daily duties. (U) The NJ ROIC monitors drug activity in New Jersey and the surrounding region through the Drug Monitoring Initiative (DMI). The purpose of the Drug Monitoring Initiative is to establish a multi-jurisdictional, multi-state drug incident information-sharing environment through the robust collection and analysis of drug seizures, overdoses, related criminal behavior, and healthcare related services.

13 February 2015

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Drug Monitoring Initiative

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Drug Identification Guide

(U//FOUO) NJ ROIC Fusion Liaison & Intelligence Training Unit~ROIC201411-04280F

NJ ROIC SIN: NJ-CRM-0100 (Geographic) / DHS SIN: HSEC 5 (Illicit Drug Operations)

OPIOIDS AND OPIATES (U//FOUO) There are often misconceptions regarding the terms “opioid” and “opiate.” The terms are often used

interchangeably. Opioids are synthetic or partly synthetic, meaning the active ingredients are manufactured by chemical

synthesis. 1 Opiates are substances derived from the poppy plant, which contains opium. Common opiates include

morphine, codeine, and thebaine (paramorphine) which are all made directly from poppy plants.

(U//FOUO) On the street, “heroin” may refer to synthetic, natural, or semi-synthetic compounds. Manufactured opioids,

like Oxycontin, are sometimes referred to as “synthetic heroin.” Heroin as originally formulated, is technically an opioid

since it is chemically manufactured. Although molecules from the opium plant are used in the process, some of heroin’s

active ingredients are not found in nature.2

(U//FOUO) The following information is provided regarding some of the most commonly seen and seized opioid and

non-opioid pills throughout the state. Brand names are included for situational awareness. For additional information

regarding identification of these and other pills, contact the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222, go to Drugs.com,

http://www.drugs.com/, or the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators, Inc., http://www.naddi.org.

OPIOIDS

Buprenorphine

Codeine

Heroin Pills

1 DetoxAnswers, http://detoxanswers.com/questions/420/opiate-vs-opioid-what-is-the-difference-between-opiate-and-opioid

Accessed November 20, 2014 2 Ibid.

Buprenorphine is a semi-synthetic derivative of thebaine, with effects

almost identical to methadone. The drug prevents withdrawal symptoms of

opioid drugs by producing similar effects to those drugs.

High doses to treat opioid addiction; lower dosages to control

moderate acute/chronic pain.

Brand names: Buprenex, Subutex, Zubsolv, Suboxone (buprenorphine

and naloxone), Temgesic, Buprenex, Norspan, Butrans.

Side effects may include severe allergic reactions,

anxiety/nervousness, fast/irregular heartbeat, mood changes

(depression), slow/shallow breathing, unusual weakness, vision

changes, and yellowing of skin/eyes.

Codeine, an opiate, is a narcotic analgesic derived from the opium poppy.

Used to treat mild to moderate pain.

Available in combination with acetaminophen, aspirin, and

carisoprodol (a muscle relaxer that blocks pain sensations) and as

an ingredient in cough and cold medications.

Overdose symptoms may include slow breathing and heart rate,

severe drowsiness, muscle weakness, cold and clammy skin,

pinpoint pupils, and fainting.

Heroin Pills are a new form of the highly addictive illegal drug heroin.

Heroin pills found in New Jersey were marked with an “M” on the

front and a “30” on the back and reportedly contain heroin cut with

Oxycodone/Percocet, then re-pressed into pill form.

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Drug Identification Guide

Hydrocodone

Methadone

Morphine

Oxycodone

Hydrocodone is a semi-synthetic opioid pain reliever and antitussive

(cough medicine).

Acetaminophen increases the effects of hydrocodone. The

combination is used to relieve moderate to severe pain.

Brand names: Vicodin, Zydone, Anexsia, Lorcet, Lortab.

Zohydro ER is a recently approved extended-release

hydrocodone, nicknamed “heroin in a capsule.”

Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, sweating,

pinpoint pupils, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing

of the skin or eyes), confusion, cold and clammy skin, muscle

weakness, fainting, weak pulse, slow heart rate, coma, blue lips,

shallow breathing, or no breathing.

Methadone is a synthetic narcotic analgesic, used to manage severe

chronic pain and as part of drug addiction detoxification and maintenance

programs. It reduces withdrawal symptoms in people addicted to

heroin/morphine/other narcotic drugs, without causing the "high"

associated with the addiction.

Brand names: Symoron, Dolophine, Amidone, Methadose,

Physeptone, Heptadon.

Serious side effects may include weak/shallow breathing, light-

headedness, fast heartbeat, severe constipation, dizziness,

drowsiness, nausea/vomiting, and increased sweating.

Morphine is an opiate narcotic analgesic derived from the opium poppy.

Used to treat acute and chronic moderate to severe pain by acting

directly on the central nervous system.

Brand names include nearly a hundred variations, including

AVINza, Kadian, MS Contin.

Overdose symptoms may include slow breathing and heart rate,

severe drowsiness, muscle weakness, cold and clammy skin,

pinpoint pupils, and fainting.

Oxycodone is an opioid narcotic pain medication, used to treat

moderate to severe pain. The extended release version is

intended for around-the-clock treatment of pain, not for use on

an as-needed basis for pain.

Brand names: OxyCONTIN, Oxeta, Oxyfast,

Roxicodone.

Side effects may include shallow breathing, slow

heartbeat, cold clammy skin, seizures, confusion,

mild/severe drowsiness, lightheadedness/dizziness,

headache, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation,

loss of appetite, dry mouth, and mild itching.

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Drug Identification Guide

NON-OPIOIDS

Alprazolam

Amphetamine

Clonazepam

Cyclobenzaprine

Alprazolam belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines, used to

treat anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and anxiety caused by depression.

Slows the movement of chemicals in the brain that may become

unbalanced, resulting in a reduction in nervous tension/anxiety.

Brand names: Xanax, Xanax XR, Niravam.

Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, confusion,

muscle weakness, loss of balance or coordination, light-headedness,

and fainting.

Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxant, used to treat skeletal muscle

conditions/pain.

Works by blocking nerve impulses/pain sensations that are sent to

the brain.

Brand names: Flexeril, Amrix, Comfort Pac with Cyclobenzaprine.

Side effects may include severe drowsiness, fast heart rate,

agitation, tremors/shaking, pounding heartbeat, hallucinations,

fever, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of

coordination, fainting, headache, dizziness, difficulty concentrating,

blurred vision, dry mouth/throat, and altered sense of taste.

Clonazepam belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines, used to

treat seizure disorders/panic disorder.

Affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and

cause anxiety.

Brand names: Klonopin, Klonopin Wafer.

Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, confusion,

muscle weakness, and fainting.

Amphetamine is a stimulant and appetite suppressant, used to treat

narcolepsy and attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADHD).

Stimulates the central nervous system (nerves and brain) by

increasing the amount of certain chemicals in the body, increasing

heart rate and blood pressure and decreasing appetite.

Brand names: Adderall, Dexedrine, DestroStat, Desoxyn, Desoxyn

Gardumet.

Overdose symptoms may include restlessness, tremors, rapid

breathing, confusion, hallucinations, panic, aggressiveness, nausea,

vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, and seizures.

Withdrawal symptoms may include depression, stomach cramps,

nausea/vomiting, “the shakes,” and tiredness.

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Drug Identification Guide

Ethylone

Hydrochlorothiazide

Lisdexamfetamine

Lorazepam

Ethylone is a research chemical that releases serotonin, norepinephrine, and

dopamine, producing effects comparable to methylone/MDEA which are

psychoactive drugs.

Has been found as one of the main ingredients in several “bath salt”

blends.

Effects include euphoria, empathy, feelings of connectedness with

the world/others, lowered inhibitions, color enhancement, mild

hallucinations, and dry mouth.

Negative effects may include nausea, anxiety, paranoia, depression,

tachycardia, heart palpitation, and hypertension.

Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic/water pill that prevents the body from

absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.

Used to treat fluid retention/edema caused by congestive heart

failure, cirrhosis of the liver, kidney disorders, or taking steroids or

estrogen. Also used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Brand names: Aquazide, Microzide, HydroDIURIL

Side effects may include eye pain/blurred vision, dry mouth, thirst,

nausea, vomiting, weakness, drowsiness, restlessness, light-

headedness, fast/uneven heartbeat, muscle pain/weakness,

numbness/tingly feeling, red/blistering/peeling skin rash, nausea,

stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, yellowing of skin/eyes,

diarrhea, and constipation.

Lorazepam belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines, used to

treat anxiety disorders.

Affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and

cause anxiety.

Brand name: Ativan

Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, confusion,

muscle weakness, fainting, and coma.

Lisdexamfetamine is an amphetamine with a high risk for abuse, used to

treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Affects certain chemicals in the brain that may help improve

attention span and behavior.

Brand name: Vyvanse

Side effects may include decreased appetite, diarrhea, dizziness, dry

mouth, headache, nausea, stomach pain, weight loss, severe allergic

reactions (rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, swelling of

mouth, face, lips/tongue, hoarseness), blurred vision, chest, jaw/arm

pain, fast/irregular heartbeat, fever, hallucinations, new/worsening

mental, mood or behavior changes, seizures, severe nausea/vomiting,

unusual sweating, weakness, and tiredness.

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Drug Identification Guide

MDMA

Sildenafil

Tadalafil

Tizanidine

Tadalafil relaxes muscles and increases blood flow to particular areas of the

body, and is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence), symptoms of

benign enlarged prostate, and pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Brand names: Cialis, Adcirca

Side effects may include headache, sudden vision changes/loss,

prolonged erection, sudden hearing loss, chest pain, irregular

heartbeat, swelling of hands/ankles/feet, seizure, lightheadedness,

muscle pain/back pain, and pain in arms /legs.

Sildenafil is used to treat high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary

arterial hypertension/PAH) and erectile dysfunction.

Works by relaxing and dilating blood vessels in the lungs, lowering

blood pressure in the lungs and improving ability to exercise.

Brand name: Viagra (blue pills), Revatio (white pills)

Should not be used in conjunction with certain recreational drugs

called “poppers.” Poppers are the liquid form of amyl nitrate/nitrite

or butyl nitrate/nitrite.

Possible side effects may include headache, flushing, indigestion,

nasal congestion, impaired/blurred vision, severe hypotension,

arrhythmias, stroke, increased pressure inside the eyes, sudden

hearing loss, and prolonged erection.

Tizanidine is a short-acting muscle relaxer, used to treat spasticity by

temporarily relaxing muscle tone.

Works by blocking nerve impulses/pain sensations that are sent to

your brain.

Brand name: Zanaflex

Side effects may include chest pain, fever/chills, nausea/vomiting,

nervousness, unusual tiredness, pain/burning while urinating, blurred

vision, irregular heartbeat, itching skin, hallucinations, shortness of

breath, weight gain, continued vomiting, and headache.

MDMA (3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a synthetic, psychoactive

drug with a chemical structure similar to the stimulant methamphetamine

and the hallucinogen mescaline.

Stimulates the release of the neurotransmitter serotonin from brain

neurons, producing a high lasting several minutes to an hour.

Can produce stimulant effects such as an enhanced sense of

pleasure, self-confidence and increased energy. Psychedelic effects

include feelings of peacefulness, acceptance, and empathy.

Possible side effects include confusion, depression, sleep problems,

anxiety, paranoia, muscle tension, involuntary teeth-clenching,

nausea, blurred vision, faintness, chills, sweating, increased heart

rate and blood pressure, dehydration, hyperthermia, and heart or

kidney failure.

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Drug Identification Guide

Trazodone

Zolpidem

REFERRAL

(U/FOUO) Law enforcement officers, and others, who wish to identify unknown prescription drugs should

contact the National Poison Control Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. By calling that number, you will be

automatically connected to the drug and poison information center nearest you, who will assist in identifying

the pill.

(U/FOUO) The Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (GCADA) has launched a statewide

awareness campaign, “Addiction Does Not Discriminate” to help fight drug abuse by showing that no one is

immune to the deadly drug problem. This program provides New Jersey residents with information on

preventing abuse, recognizing those at risk, and finding treatment. Please go to KnowAddiction.nj.gov to

learn more.

(U//FOUO) Through the DMI, the State Police Regional Crime Labs will facilitate expedited forensic

analysis of seized drugs to assist investigators and health care professionals during emergent situations. Any

law enforcement agency requiring expedited analysis of heroin or other drug specimens involved in overdoses

should contact the NJ ROIC Fusion Liaison & Intelligence Unit at: ROICOutreach@gw.njsp.org, by fax to

609-530-4174 or by calling 609-963-6900 ext. 6273 or 6232.

Zolpidem is a sedative/hypnotic, used to treat insomnia.

Affects chemicals in your brain that may become unbalanced and

cause sleep problems (insomnia).

Brand names: Ambien, Ambien CR, Edluar, Intermezzo, Zolpimist

Side effects may include severe allergic reaction (hives, difficulty

breathing, and swelling of face/lips/tongue/throat), chest pain,

fast/irregular heartbeat, lightheadedness, nausea, diarrhea, upset

stomach, headache, muscle pain, dizziness, and daytime drowsiness.

Trazodone is an antidepressant, used to treat major depressive disorder.

Affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause

depression.

Brand names: Oleptro, Desyrel, Desyrel Dividose

Overdose can be fatal when taken with alcohol, barbiturates

(phenobarbital) or sedatives (diazepam (Valium)).

Overdose symptoms may include blurred vision, chest

pain/discomfort, confusion, difficulty breathing, dizziness, loss of

consciousness, pale/blue lips/fingernails/skin, severe

sleepiness/drowsiness, slow/irregular heartbeat, sweating, and unusual

tiredness/weakness.